The name ‘Klever Birne’ refers to an ideas competition launched by the city of Kleve in collaboration with the Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences. The first two competitions, held in 2023 and 2024, generated plenty of creative ideas on the topic of sustainability. The jury received more than 40 applications and ten winners were honoured.
The third round of the ideas competition starts in May 2025.
The project partners City of Kleve and Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences are committed to the topic of sustainability as a form of ecological, social and economic action and announced a sustainability award in Kleve for the first time in 2023. The Klever Birne Sustainability Award is intended to raise awareness of sustainability goals at a global and local level. The aim is to develop new ideas for sustainable measures together with the people of Kleve.
Citizens, private groups, students, educational institutions, public institutions (schools, kindergartens, libraries, etc.), companies, associations, start-ups and institutions can apply. Excluded from participation are former award winners, employees of the City of Kleve and Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, sponsors and members of the jury.
Impact: Your idea makes a contribution to sustainable (social, ecological, economic) development and serves as a role model for others; it should be of great practical benefit in the selected SDG target area.
Feasibility: Your idea can be realistically implemented in everyday life in the city of Kleve. Realistic means that the idea can be implemented from your own resources and/or with the prize money from the ideas competition and the coaching.
Degree of innovation: Your idea is innovative and has not yet been implemented in Kleve.
1st prize: €2,000 + coaching + certificate
2nd prize : €1,500 + coaching + certificate
3rd prize : €1,000 + coaching + certificate
Student prize : €1,000 + coaching + certificate
Audience prize: Pear tree + coaching + certificate
Award Ceremony of the Klever Birne 2024
Ten selected applicants had the opportunity to present their ideas at a small trade fair and win the jury’s approval. Three ideas received prize money: “17 Raised Beds for 17 SDGs” from Berufsbildungszentrum Kleve, “EcoParkKleve” from citizens and “Green Walls” from Joseph Beuys School Kleve. The Audience Award went to the Joseph Beuys School Kleve and the student impact award went to Danial Sharghi’s “KleveConnect”.
Winners of the Klever Birne 2023
After receiving the applications and a workshop on pitch and poster preparation, the award ceremony on ‘Make an impact Day’ was on the agenda. Ten selected applicants had the opportunity to present their ideas at a small trade fair and win the jury’s approval. Four ideas received prize money: the mobile climate café, the sustainable market hall in the former Margarine Union, the community garden at SOS-Klapheckenhof and the “Sustainable education in the field” school project at the primary school in Rindern. The Audience Award went to the biogas plant of Futurelab-Engineering U.G.
“All projects are winners for us because they make the region and the city of Kleve a better place to live,” said professor Peter Kisters, Vice President and Professor for Research, Innovation and Knowledge Transfer at the Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences.
Can I submit several ideas?
Only one idea can be submitted per person. However, this does not apply to organisations: several ideas can be submitted by one organisation if a different main contact person is responsible for each one.
Can the idea have an impact beyond Kleve?
Of course, the impact of the idea can also extend beyond the city of Kleve. However, it is important that an impact can be felt in Kleve.
Does the idea have to have an impact in the entire city of Kleve, or can the impact only regard one part of Kleve?
The main thing is that the idea has a tangible impact in Kleve. This can also only affect a small part of Kleve.
Are project ideas that are already being funded by other organisations also supported?
Ideas that are already being funded are not excluded from participating in the Klever Birne sustainability award.
Can I give the presentation at the award ceremony in English?
Yes, this year the presentations can also be given in English. The poster presented can be in English as well.
